Review: Plummet

Plummet

Written by Tony and Jan Payne

Illustrated by Emily Bolam

Publication date: 2004
Publisher: Orion Children's Books

ISBN: 1-84255-169-8

Summary/back cover:
A Flying Frog who can't fly? Whoever heard of such a thing?
Plummet has become just that - a frog who can't get airborne.  And it's making him very sad.  Until he meets a fabulous Flying Frog called Be-Bop.  Can she help Plummet to get off the ground?
The sky's the limit in this inspiring story of frogs, friendship and flying.

Review:
This is a sweet wee story, which effectively shows how strange some things are named - Flying Frogs that don't actually fly - so is a good way to introduce some other oddities in the English language to your toddler (clotheshorse, which isn't actually a horse; dust bunnies that aren't actually bunnies; etc). It also shows that we can sometimes do things, even if we think we can't, because we've been trying to achieve something different.

My 2.5 year old liked this story, but did immediately launch himself off the edge of his bed, in order to become a flying frog - so do watch out for that, if you have a suggestable child!

My rating - 4/5.


Review written by Bronwyn

Review: Snap

Snap

Written by Damian Harvey

Illustrated by Lucy Richards

Publication date: 2007
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-1-84362-865-1

Summary/back cover:
Snap might look different to all Mother Duck's other little ducklings, but she thinks he is just adorable!
Families come in all shapes and sizes. This beautiful book celebrates the love that makes every family special.

Review:
This is a gorgeous wee book about a Mother Duck that finds a crocodile (or alligator?) egg and adopts it as her own.  My 2.5 year old finds it highly amusing that I kept calling the crocodile a 'duck' through the story, but he agreed that Mother Duck loved the crocodile, and the crocodile loved the ducks back.

I love the message in the story - the other animals laugh at Snap, because he doesn't look like the rest of his family, but Mother Duck repeats a number of times, "Some ducklings are different, but to me they're all wonderful."

A gorgeous wee read, I rate this one 4.5/5


Review writteb by Bronwyn

Book Review: Willow's Whispers

Author: Lana Button

Illustrated by Tania Howells

Publisher: Kids Can Press
Activities: Storytime Suggestions 

Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Willows words came out in whispers. They were just too tiny to hear. Willow's voice, soft and shy as a secret, goes unheard by everyone at school and causes her no ends of troubles. Having to drink orange juice at snack time when she had asked so nicely for apple is just one disappointment.

After a night of wishing, thinking and planning for a way to make louder words, Willow wakes the next morning with the perfect idea: a magic microphone! But although she fashions it from the sturdiest recyclables, her beglittered invention doesn't last the school day. Will Willow find another way to make herself heard?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I get a lot of requests from parents, teachers, blog followers etc asking for book suggestions to help kids overcome shyness. There's not a lot of good ones out there on the topic. But there is a really GREAT one out there.....Willow's Whispers. This was a discovery a couple of months ago. As I started to read the first pages, it almost seemed too good to be true - because I love the way it's written from beginning to end.

This was a powerful read for the shy kids and even the ones who are not. First of all, the shy kids got to hear DIRECTLY from me in the most validating way through Willow's story. I introduced the words...fears, confidence, inner strength, brave.....oh the list goes on. Also, it's okay to be shy. But when can our shyness get in the way of our own happiness and become a problem? This is what happens to Willow....she is misheard, gets bullied, has trouble making friends, and misses out on classroom opportunities. We quickly figured out her shyness was getting in the way. Good Stuff! And a wonderful way to introduce strategies for kids to practice.

For those kids who are not shy it was a good lesson in sensitivity and to be supportive to those children who do feel shy at times. Reach out to them, have understanding, and try to help them feel comfortable. I cannot wait to read this one again next year. This is always a sign of how much I adore a new book. My recommendation list just got a lot stronger in the shy department.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Review: Ten Wriggly Wiggly Caterpillars

Ten Wriggly Wiggly Caterpillars

Written and Illustrated by Debbie Tarbett

Publication date: 2005

Publisher: Backpack Books

ISBN: 0-7607-7057-3

Summary:

Ten crunching caterpillars in the bright sunshine.  One fell asleep, so that left... nine!

Follow the adventures of these bright bold 3-D caterpillars in this fun and funky counting book with a surprise pop-up page at the end!

Review:

Another fun book, with the added interest of the 3-D, plastic caterpillars.  We start with 10 and they drop off one by one for different reasons.  But at the end you have a beautiful pop-up illustration of the 10 beautiful butterflies that the caterpillars have become. 

I have to confess to being just as delighted as my little one the first time we read this book and got to the end page and I like seeing first time readers have the same reaction.  The illustrations are bright and very cute, the text is simple and rhyming, but it really is the inclusion of the caterpillars and the end pop-up that makes this quite special.

5/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: The Bad Good Manners Book

The Bad Good Manners Book

Written and Illustrated by Babette Cole

Publication date: 1997

Publisher: Puffin Books (NZ) Ltd

ISBN: 0-14-055480-7

Summary:

Good manners, bad manners, no manners at all!  Babette Cole's hilarious tips on being an angel - or a little devil...

"Good behaviour does not begin with Babette Cole, a good read does" - Observer

Review:

Anyone who has had anything to do with childrens books over the past 30 years will instantly recognise Cole's work.  Her distinctive illustrations and humourous writing has seen over 70 of her children's picture books be published and has received numerous awards.

The Bad Good Manners Book is, as the title states, all about what not to do.  I love to place special emphasis on "Don't mess around in the kitchen", which usually falls on deaf ears, and "Don't tell your mother she's fat" which generally receives a giggle or two from those within earshot.

A fun read, every child's bookshelf deserves at least one Babette Cole, and you couldn't go wrong if this was it.

4/5.

Review written by QTCass

Review: I Like Myself

I Like Myself

Written by Karen Beaumont

Illustrated by David Catrow

Publication date: 2005

Publisher: Koala Books

ISBN: 0-86461-611-2

Summary:

I like myself--inside and out! Why? Just because I'm ME! At once silly and serious, this exuberant ode to self-esteem is sassy, soulful--and straight from the heart.

Review:

As the title says, this book is about liking yourself.  The opening page states "I like myself! I'm glad I'm me" and the book closes with "I like myself because I'm ME!"

It is full of imaginative eye-catching illustrations and while the text may be a bit repetitive (it finds a number of different ways of saying the same thing; I like myself!) it is a positive affirmation that any parent would want their child to pick up on and start believing for themselves.  The rhyming will hold younger listeners attention and is simple enough for early readers.

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: I Love my Mummy

I Love my Mummy

Written by Giles Andreae

Illustrated by Emma Dodd

Publication date: 2011
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-1-40830-957-5


Summary:
"I love my mummy very much,
She's great to cuddle, soft to touch!"

Told with humour and charm, this is a book to be loved and shared time and again. From the bestselling and award-winning writer Giles Andreae and acclaimed illustrator Emma Dodd.


Review:
I was lucky enough to be sent a review copy of this book from the publisher, and was very pleased to receive it.  I'm a huge fan of Giles Andreae's work - the author of Giraffes Can't Dance and The Lion who Wanted to Love - and this book has immediately become one of the most-requested books in our house (it's also really nice to hear your 2.5 year old toddler say "I Love Mummu" over and over!)

This books is written in much more of a Purple Ronnie style than Giles's other childrens books, but this adds to the humour and gentle rhyming of the book.

I thoroughly recommend this book - I'm hoping there will be one called I Love my Daddy at some point too, to add to our collection!

If you're interested in purchasing this book, you can pick it up here at Fishpond.

My rating: 5/5 - a lovely wee book, all about why Mums are great!

Review written by Bronwyn